Original concept of Silverbells Steps Out

I set up the Silverbells Steps Out blog in April 2012 as a document of how I’ve been transforming my garden since I bought my house in November 2009. Before that time I had no idea I would find gardening an enjoyable and rewarding experience. I had been thinking purely in terms of my daughter and having some outdoor space of our own, rather than being restricted to days out to be outside.

Then something happened. I tried very hard to follow the advice of a colleague, who suggested I wait 12 months before doing anything in the garden, so that I knew exactly what was in it and what I wanted to keep or remove. Well, I did try. And I bought some compost and a potato growing kit, so that I could be doing something while I waited patiently for November 2010.

Thing was, I really didn’t like the bushes at the back of the garden. Or rather, the bushes that occupied the half of the garden that wasn’t lawn. The picture below was taken in the summer of 2010 and shows what I mean… unfortunately, I had already started digging before this was taken but it still shows the garden much as I bought it (minus the Wendy house, donated by my sister and used as a shed by me).

Back garden – summer 2010.

I had always known the bushes would have to go and once I started digging, plans for what to do next started to formulate. The new space became the vegetable patch, while I then got rid of the lawn. This meant that I had a lot of space for growing vegetables but I did also want space for other types of vegetation.

So, I was thrilled when I landed an allotment, as I thought I could grow more food there and have more space at home for flowers, albeit with wildlife in mind (and some food for us). However, the allotment proved to be an unsustainable idea in more ways that one. It was basically meadow which I needed to turn into cultivatable land – and I lived over ten miles away. So, after six months I waved bye bye to that.

This meant that I could focus once more on what I was doing at home and be truer to my ideals of living a more sustainable lifestyle. It also freed up time to read….. The upshot of which was that I discovered the concept of permaculture. Wow!

My aim had already been to find a natural (aka organic) way of improving soil fertility and getting the most food out of my garden. I had even discovered the concept of making it attractive to wildlife, including bees. But permaculture has captured my imagination because it takes gardening beyond the concept of a discreet hobby. Instead, it is part of a more holistic view of culture and society.

All in all, this is an interesting journey – maybe with no final destination?

P.S. The photos as well as the text belong to me. I would be flattered if anyone quoted any of the material I have written on this blog but please could you respect the fact that it is my work and reference it appropriately. Thank you!

We all learn something new every day in gardening. I got a recipe book connected to what grows in your garden to make lovely meals with our produce!
I just hope our high winds tonight does not wreck everything we had no time to stake up !! But I have tunnels I can work in anyway 🙂
If I can be of any help I will surely 🙂 Nice to meet you silverbells!

Hi Silverbells! I have always loved my garden, but found it stepped up a notch when i read ‘the permaculture home garden’ by Linda Woodrow… her blog is http://witcheskitchen.com.au/the-witches-kitchen-garden/ and the book explains how to pack a bunch of stuff in to one back yard garden. amazing and inspiring, i strongly recommend! found you via slow living essentials 🙂 good luck with it all.

Just read your comment after mine, on Amelia’s blogpost about her garden in September.
Our allotment was over by the cricket and rugby grounds in Burley/Headingley.
I can understand how a ten mile drag was difficult/impossible….
we could see our greenhouse from the top bedroom….
but the Leeds/Harrogate line was in the way….
so it was a mile either way to get to the plot…
down and back up via Burley Park station…
or….
up and back down via the bridge up by the rugby ground…
it was tedious, difficult with equipment and you couldn’t “impulse” pick.
So we bought a 2CV from someone nearby….
and ended up living in France!!
Here we have cultivated the same area of ground as two allotments….
but just a stagger out of the backdoor…
like your back garden plot, we can pick veggies and have them on the table in a couple of shakes…
Bonne chance…
Tim

Merci! I know that railway line well from both travelling along it and having my plot next to it. Like you say, so much better to able to just walk outside to pick what you want. What a great transition you’ve made. J’adore la France 🙂

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Welcome to the world of gardeners! I mix flowers and edibles together. I admit that a lot of my flowers are also herbs. Double duty is good. Since your plot is small, fruiting shrubs are big producers and bloom prettily. Keep tall things on the north side. Wild Violets under shrubs are the best green for salads and are native across the US.
They do fine in shade and are easier than
other greens. After 50 years of gardening, every day is still a new day…

Anyway, thanks for your advice and suggestions. I have found nasturtium to be a marvellous alternative to greens – just had some for my evening meal. I have not come across wild violets before – I wonder if they grow in the UK?

I love your post,. It’s so easy to get lost in the garden and to emerge with a cross-fertilisation of fresh ideas on life – and of course, produce. My own gardening journey is a ramble or a scramble, There is no major plan. Flowers and vegies mingle and all beneficial insects are welcome. There’s never any shortage of material to blog about.

Love your story. Our journey with our property started in 2008. And we are working ever since.
What I have learned is that the land itself will tell you which way would like to become. We only have to watch and listen.Looking forward to see your progress.